daily news and photography about cacti and succulents and some carnivorous plants too

Starbucks is Feeding You Cactus

Well, not really cactus per se, but red dye which comes from cochineal insects which are grown on and feed on cactus. It’s true! Cactus in the guts of insects get squished out into a red dye that is used in various sundry Starbucks products.

The tiny white insects that feed on cactus turn into red cochineal when crushed. Starbucks uses the dye in some of its products.

Some Starbucks patrons have been distressed to learn that the chain’s Strawberry and Creme Frappuccino owes its pink coloring to crushed insects.